Original antique woodcut from an original drawing by S. Read. Published in 1883 as a supplement to the Illustrated London News of January 20th.
Samuel Read was an English illustrator who provided many illustrations for the Illustrated London News.
Samuel was the son of Robert Read, a boot and shoemaker. He began work in Ipswich, in a law office and then for an architect.
He then moved to London, where he studied wood engraving under Josiah Wood Whymper.
He also learned watercolour painting, from William Collingwood Smith. He starting showing at the Royal Academy exhibitions in 1843.
It was in 1844 that Read started contributing to theIllustrated London News. He travelled widely for the magazine, abroad and for British topographical subjects.
